Subaru is a Japanese manufacturer of cars and crossovers with a dedicated consumer base that most automakers would kill for. With standard all-wheel drive on all models, Subarus have a rugged image that's borne out in their competence on rough terrain and snow and their overall reliability. Subaru exclusively uses horizontally opposed engines.Subaru's base model is the Impreza, which comes in sedan and hatchback forms. It's also the basis for the Outback Sport -- a smaller sibling to the better-known Outback wagon -- as well as the turbocharged WRX and WRX STi performance models.Subaru's midsize model is the Legacy, which is now exclusively a sedan. The discontinued wagon responsibilities are now handled by the Forester and the Outback, which has grown enough in its current generation to be considered a crossover more than a wagon. Subaru's largest model is the Tribeca, a crossover that seats seven in three rows.Headquartered in Ota, Gunma, Japan, Subaru is a division of Subaru Heavy Industries, in which Toyota Motor Co. holds a controlling interest.

General Motors' mass-market brand, Chevrolet has more models spanning more uses than the other three makes that survived the company's 2009 bankruptcy. With the elimination of Pontiac and Saturn, Chevy now has the affordable vehicle market to itself.Among its cars, Chevrolet's high points include the Malibu midsize sedan, Camaro sport coupe and the new Cruze, which replaces the Cobalt compact sedan. Due for update or replacement, cars like the HHR wagon, Impala full-size sedan and Aveo subcompact aren't up to the newer models' impressive quality. The Corvette is still a world-class sports car, but it, too, is due for an update. All eyes are on the Chevrolet Volt, a battery-electric sedan with a range-extending onboard generator, which is GM's boldest initiative since the EV-1 electric car -- and could revolutionize transportation for efficiency-conscious motorists.Chevrolet's crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks have remained competitive, and the current Equinox compact crossover is one of the strongest products in Chevy's history. The large Traverse crossover, with seven or eight seats in three rows, is a strong seller, and the conventional truck-based SUVs soldier on as the Tahoe and the longer Suburban, which seat up to nine. The Tahoe is available as a hybrid. The compact Colorado and full-size Silverado pickup trucks and Express cargo van lineups offer numerous sizes, cab and box styles and weight ratings. The Avalanche provides the best of SUV and pickup worlds.In the wake of its bankruptcy, and pending an initial public offering of stock, Detroit-based GM is privately held predominantly by the U.S. Treasury, which owns more than 60 percent. The Canadian government owns roughly 12 percent, and bondholders from the now-defunct GM (Motors Liquidation Co.) hold about 10 percent. More than 17 percent belongs to a United Auto Workers health care and pension trust that the union accepted in lieu of earlier cash commitments. The UAW will sell its interest to fund the trust once the company goes public.

The luxury division of Volkswagen, Audi sells in the U.S. a lineup of models ranging from small two-seat coupes and roadsters to a large seven-seat crossover. In recent years, Audi has grown its offering and done a better job of distinguishing its models from the Volkswagens on which they are frequently based. Despite the perceived disadvantage of front-wheel drive, the performance of base car models has improved, and they often include Quattro as a performance enhancement to battle sport-oriented rival BMW. (A pioneer in all-wheel-drive technology, Audi has long offered Quattro for its more practical advantages.) Audi's "S" treatment provides a higher-performance option of some models, though the "RS" versions that compete more closely with cars from BMW's M and Mercedes' AMG divisions aren't currently offered in the U.S.Audi's practical cars include the small four-door-hatchback A3; the A4 compact sedan and Avant wagon; the midsize A6 sedan and Avant; the full-size A8 sedan; and two crossovers, the compact/midsize Q5 five-seater and the mid/full-size Q7, which seats five, six or seven. Sporty models include the two-seat TT coupe and roadster (convertible); the four-seat A5 sedan and cabriolet (convertible); and Audi's halo car, the R8 two-seat supercar, which will soon come as a roadster as well as a hardtop. Currently, S versions are available of the TT, A4, A5 and A6. A diesel engine leader in the U.S., Audi offers TDI clean-diesel engines for the A3 and Q7.Though its owner, VW, is in Wolfsburg, Germany, Audi is headquartered in Ingolstadt.

Ford is the full-line, mass-market brand of Ford Motor Co., which also sells luxury vehicles in North America under the Lincoln name. With the discontinuation of Mercury and the sale of numerous other premium and luxury marques within the past few years, the company's efforts are squarely on Ford, a global brand. Thanks to a series of impressive new models and the goodwill that comes from being the only domestic automaker not to receive a government bailout, Ford's sales, profits, market share and image are all on the rise. Early to the hybrid market with the Escape crossover followed by midsize sedans, Ford is second only to Toyota in its implementation of truly efficient hybrid systems.Ford's recent additions include the Fiesta subcompact sedan and hatchback, which are sold in many markets worldwide and bring high quality and efficiency to the base of the car lineup. Substantial recent upgrades to the Mustang, including new V-6 and V-8 engines, have improved performance along with efficiency. The Fusion midsize sedan has won many awards, including Cars.com's Best of 2010 award for the hybrid version. A recent redesign has turned the frumpy Taurus into a stylish full-size sedan. The car most recently redesigned was the Focus sedan and hatchback, which hit dealerships in 2011. The new world car replaces a U.S. version that had shared the name but not the quality found in Europe.Ford's crossover offering is extensive, including the compact Escape, the newly updated five-seat midsize Edge and the large Flex, which seats up to seven in three rows. Ford is currently phasing out its truck-based Explorer midsize SUV and half-truck Explorer Sport Trac, replacing it with an all-new Explorer that attempts to blend truck and crossover characteristics. The Expedition and extended Expedition EL full-size SUVs can seat up to eight in three rows.Long overdue for a redesign, the Ranger compact pickup remains in the lineup along with full-size F-Series pickup trucks and E-Series cargo vans in numerous sizes, cab and box styles and weight ratings. A new cargo van from Europe, the Transit Connect, is intended for small-business owners and delivery fleets who don't need a larger van.Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., Ford Motor Co. is independent and publicly traded.

More than any full-line manufacturer, BMW's reputation is built on its vehicles' performance. Arguably the originator of the luxury sport sedan class with its model 2002 in the early 1960s, BMW has always emphasized optimal weight distribution and handling, though it now goes toe-to-toe with competitors for power as well. BMW's lineup now contains numerous crossovers and, for 2011, the company's first hybrid models.The descendant of the 2002, the compact 3 Series comes in coupe, sedan, wagon and convertible versions, with a choice of two gas and one diesel engine and rear- or all-wheel drive. Like the convertible version of the 3 Series, the current generation of the two-seat Z4 roadster is a retractable hardtop rather than a convertible soft-top. The subcompact 1 Series, introduced in 2008, is a two-door coupe or soft-top convertible whose high price has held back its sales. The newly redesigned midsize 5 Series sedan continues in the U.S. market, though its wagon variant will no longer be imported, replaced by the peculiar 535 Gran Turismo, a four-door hatchback with a coupe roofline. The related 6 Series coupe and soft-top convertible continue in their first generation. Also redesigned for 2010 is the 7 Series flagship sedan. Crossovers include the five-seat compact X3, the midsize X5 -- which comes in five- or seven-seat versions -- and the X6, a four-door based on the X5 but having a controversial coupelike profile. It seats four.In addition to gas engines, BMW offers hybrid drivetrains for the X6 and the 7 Series, and diesel engines for the 3 Series and X5. BMW's M division currently offers high-performance versions of the 3, 5 and 6 Series as well as the X5 and X6.Headquartered in Munich, BMW is an independent company. It also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce.

Toyota is a full-line vehicle manufacturer and variably the first or second largest global producer. Toyota's hard-earned reputation for reliability and quality was tarnished in 2009 and early 2010 by a series of high-profile recalls. Toyota has visibly allowed some of its strongest products -- often the best-sellers within their segments in the U.S. market -- to slip in terms of quality and competitiveness. Still, Toyota remains a high-volume seller and a leader in hybrid vehicles.Toyota's lineup begins with the subcompact Yaris, which comes in sedan and both two- and four-door hatchback forms. Next is the Corolla compact sedan, a best-seller that has been surpassed by many competitors. Though it's considerably larger, the Matrix hatchback shares the Corolla's platform. The midsize Camry sedan remains a best-seller, and the recently refreshed Avalon full-size sedan is an impressive combination of comfort, space, power and efficiency.Toyota's crossovers start with the RAV4, a compact that seats up to seven with an optional third-row seat. Arguably a large wagon rather than a crossover, the Venza seats five and offers generous cargo room. The Highlander midsize crossover seats five or seven with an optional third-row seat. To accommodate more people you'll need a full-size Toyota. The full-size Sequoia and Land Cruiser truck-based SUVs, and the Sienna minivan, all seat up to eight.Unlike some automakers, Toyota hasn't abandoned the midsize truck-based SUV market. The rugged FJ Cruiser, the company's most capable off-roader, remains, as does the 4Runner, a more comfortable and roomier model that also can go off road and tow heavy trailers.Toyota has the pickup-truck market covered with the Tacoma compact and the Tundra full-size truck. The Tundra has more drivetrain, box and cab options than ever before, but the domestic truck makers still offer more.Along with the hybrid-market-leading Prius, Toyota sells hybrid versions of the Camry and Highlander. Additional hybrids are forthcoming.Toyota is headquartered in Toyota city, Aichi, Japan.